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Jim Kilby

About Jim Kilby

Sussex, NJ

Veteran Rock Singer/Songwriter, Jim Kilby, has been called, “the most dynamic performer I’ve seen in years,” by Lead Singer and Songwriter, Dave Cousins, of the legendary British band, The Strawbs. Jim is known for his high energy live performances, throaty, rich vocals and melodic, foot stomping, tear jerking, original songs.

One of his first performances was before thousands of people at a radon rally in his hometown of Vernon, New Jersey. It was at this event that Jim met bassist Joe Taylor and a friendship and a rock and roll journey began. The two went on to form one of the hottest bands in New Jersey, Kilby Taylor. The band played to packed cover rooms, while performing 50% of Jim’s originals and were featured on the cover of Steppin Out Magazine.

“North Jersey Fields,” one of Jim’s original songs began receiving radio airplay on WDHA, followed by “Two Minutes After Midnight.” “Wonderful Christmas” received airplay on WPLJ and soon Jim was on the air singing “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” with Darlene Love and Debbie Gibson.

The band was featured on CNBC-TV and WWOR-TV and was written up in numerous newspapers including The Washington Post, The Star Ledger, The Asbury Park Press, The Bergen Record, etc. They went on to be nominated for a Garden State Music Award.

Kilby Taylor became the “house band” for the Sun Tan Jam concert series in Butler, New Jersey opening up for Meat Loaf, Blues Travelers, The Band, Eddie Money, Spin Doctors, Marshall Tucker, Southside Johnny, Cheap Trick, Hot Tuna, Outlaws, Radiators, etc. They also played at The Stone Pony, The Bound Brook Theater, New York City’s Rock and Roll Café, etc. and opened up for numerous other national acts including The Bo Deans, Billy Falcon, Tommy Conwell, Johnnie Johnson, Dave Mason, Spin Doctors, etc.

After five years together, Jim stepped away from the band to pursue some independent projects and concentrate on his original music.

He began performing acoustic, opening up for major label recording artists The Strawbs, Richie Havens,Steve Forbert, etc. Soon after The Strawbs show, London was calling. Jim’s music caught the attention of famed rock critic and author, John Tobler.

Jim later formed a new, all original band, The Crusade, opening up for, Nils Lofgren, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, Marshall Tucker, Pat Travers, etc.

The New Jersey Country Music Association asked Jim to perform in a “future stars” showcase at a Country Music Expo in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where he opened up for Country Music Star, David Lee Murphy. The NJCMA later asked Jim to perform some of his originals on the warm-up stage prior to the Kenny Rogers show at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey.

Soon his song ,”Jersey Rocks,” was being played by local sports teams in stadiums and arenas all over the state including Sovereign Bank Arena, Yogi Berra Stadium, Commerce Bank Ballpark, GPU Energy Park, Waterfront Park, Sand Castle Stadium. Jim was featured on News 12 New Jersey and asked to sing the National Anthem at The Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Most recently, Jim re-united with his good friend, bassist Joe Taylor, to form Kilby and Taylor. The two have been warming up the band with some shows at a local venue before once again hitting the clubs. New original tunes like “Brave The Storm,” "Tough Times," “Light My Fuse,” “Father’s Tribute,” and “Feeling Like A Better Man,” have audiences asking for encore after encore at the end of the night.